Project Information

Strengthening the system of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas of Turkey Project Some 3,000 plant and animal species have been identified along Turkey's 8.500 km coastline. But Turkey's marine biodiversity is under serious pressure by human kind. The major threats facing Turkey's marine areas are the degradation of marine habitats and ecosystems, the over-harvesting of marine resources and the conversion and/or destruction of coastal habitats. This Project aims to facilitate the expansion of the national system of marine and coastal protected areas and to improve its management effectiveness. The Project officially commenced in May 2009, and will end in April 2014. The Project will have achieved the following three outcomes: Responsible institutions have the capacities and internal structure needed for prioritizing the establishment of new Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPAs) and for more effectively managing existing MCPAs MCPA financial planning and management systems are facilitating effective business planning, adequate levels of revenue generation and cost-effective management Inter-agency coordination mechanisms in place to regulate and manage economic activities within multiple use areas of the MCPAs

Within the marine areas bordering Turkey’s lengthy coastline is found an abundant, highly diverse and globally significant biodiversity endowment. Overall, some 3,000 plant and animal species have been identified in Turkey’s territorial sea. Among these are about 20 species of marine mammals, including: two endangered species of sea turtle, the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the green (Chelonia mydas), and; the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), one of Europe’s most endangered species, of which fewer than 100 individuals still survive along Turkish coasts. Some 480 species of marine fish have been identified in Turkish waters, of which 50% are believed to be in danger of local extirpation. Economically important fish species include anchovy, horse mackerel, bonito, sardine, bluefish, mullet and turbot. Avian fauna dependent on Turkey’s marine environment include Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii), as well as the migratory summer visitor Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae). more...

Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPAs) can be established for different purposes, can be designed in different types and sizes and can be managed in different ways. Therefore, there are many different definitions of an MCPA. more...

The global importance of Turkish biodiversity is exemplified by the fact that three ecoregions, two terrestrial (Caucasus and Mediterranean) and one marine (Mediterranean), are classified as Global 200 Ecoregions - considered by WWF as the most important ecoregions on earth in terms of their conservation values. more...